I am fortunate to get to travel to Las Vegas once or twice a year. Each time, I usually just take a taxi from the airport to the Strip. Recently, I decided to dig in a bit into transportation options to find out the cheapest way to get from the airport to the Las Vegas Strip. In doing my research, I found that the cheapest way actually depends on the number of passengers. A solo traveller will find that a shuttle is the cheapest, while larger parties will find taxi to be the cheapest. Here is a rundown of the various options.
Overview of Transportation Options From Airport to Strip
Public Transit: Las Vegas is not a transit-friendly city. There is a bus that services the McCarran Airport (LAS) but service is limited. Chances are the bus will not take you to where you’re going without a transfer or two, and even then it will likely require you to walk several hundred yards to get to your hotel. I have talked to dozens of travelers and have never met anyone who has chosen this mode of transportation. I do not recommend this.
Related: Ten Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
Free Shuttle: Some hotels, especially non-Strip hotels, offer a free shuttle. The only thing less expensive than ‘cheap’ is free. Many travelers are not aware that their hotel offers a shuttle, so it is best to conact your hotel prior to departure or upon arrive to see if you can take advantage of this service. As far as I know, the following offer free shuttle service from the airport to their hotel:
Shuttle Bus: There are plenty of shuttle buses that provide service from the Las Vegas Airport to the Strip, downtown, and other hotels. This is a low cost option, usually ranging from $8 to $10 per person. Shuttles offer a slight discount for purchasing a return trip. This is definitely the cheapest option for solo travelers and couples. However, if you are a party of 3 or more, taking a shuttle will actually cost you more than a taxi.
Depending on where you are staying, taking a taxi is not much more expensive (usually $18 to 25). Unless you are really strapped for cash, I recommend a cab over a shuttle for 2 or more guests. It’s a lot more convenient and quick to hop into a taxi and go directly to your hotel. Shuttles have multiple stops, do not leave as regularly, and are generally much slower.
Taxi: Most travelers who arrive at McCarran Airport taxi to their hotel on the strip or elsewhere. Taxi costs vary due to traffic and other factors but typically fall within this price range.
- South Strip: $12 to $15
- Center Strip: $14 to $20
- North Strip: $18 to $23
- Downtown (Fremont Street) and West of Strip (Rio and Palms): $22 to $28
For parties of 2 staying on the Las Vegas Strip, taking a paid shuttle bus is slightly cheaper but not recommended. A cab is not much more expensive but offers quicker service directly to your hotel. It is worth the extra few dollars.
For larger parties of 3 or more, a taxi will almost always be cheaper than a shuttle. Parties up to 5 guests (and sometimes 6) can fit into a single cab, bringing the cost down even further. For example, my last trip to Vegas was with 3 others. The 4 of us paid $13 for the cab ride to our hotel (Tropicana) and gave the driver a $3 tip. The $16 fare worked out to just $4 per person. For larger parties, the taxi stand attendant at the airport can help you arrange for a minivan taxi that will accommodate your party and have enough room for your luggage as well.
Limousines: Although this is an article on taking the cheapest mode of transportation from the Las Vegas airport to your hotel, limousines deserve a mention. They are actually not too expensive compared to other cities. …. Need to find out what limos cost.
Renting A Car In Las Vegas: Renting a car in Las Vegas can be quite inexpensive if done correctly. A car rental can cost as little as $15 per day. If you are not drinking, this can be a cheap method to get to and from the airport, as well as take you where ever you are going in Vegas. One of the advantages of Las Vegas is that most of the hotels offer free parking (self-serve and valet), making this option quite affordable. I generally do not recommend renting a car unless you plan to visit locations off the Strip and you do not plan on drinking.
Summary – Cheapest Method From McCarran Airport to the Las Vegas Strip
- First, check with your hotel to see if they offer a free shuttle.
- For solo traveler, a shuttle bus is cheapest.
- For couples, shuttles are slightly cheaper than taxis. However, if your hotel is on the Las Vegas Strip, the savings are negligible and probably not worth the extra time.
- For parties of 3 or more, taking a cab is cheapest.
- Consider renting a car if you plan to visit multiple destinations and have a designated driver.
Additional Vegas Resources
- Hotwire Hotels in Las Vegas: Find out what hotels are available on Hotwire and how to reveal your hotel before booking a mystery hotel.
- How to Do the $20 Trick: Get free room upgrades using this method.
- Las Vegas 24-Hour Buffet Pass: All the buffets you want in 24 hours for just $50.
Taking a taxi is the cheapest way to get from the Las Vegas airport to the Strip for parties of 3 or more.